Deion Sanders told Newsweek the exclusion of Florida State from the College Football Playoff on Sunday was a “business decision.”

“Unfortunately, it comes down to some business,” Sanders said Monday. “And you’re talkin’ about Alabama not being in the College Football Playoff after they defeated the No. 1-ranked team in college football that has been the No. 1-ranked team all season?

“You’re not gonna leave (Alabama coach) Nick Saban out of the College Football Playoffs. You can forget that. You might as well fight something else. You’d rather argue with Texas or someone like that. And you’ve got to understand, these are all large-market teams, except for Washington. So, your fight would be with Washington, but they’re undefeated as well.”

The remarks came the same day that Stephen A. Smith said on “First Take” that Florida State would have been included had Sanders been the coach of the Seminoles.

“You’re not getting Alabama out of the College Football Playoffs — and Georgia,” he told Newsday. “That is not going to happen. You can forget that. Alabama and Georgia? Georgia should be upset as well, right? They’ve been No. 1 for the last two years.

The talk of the college football world has been the debate for the fourth spot in the CFP. Alabama, who beat No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, jumped from No. 8 to No. 4 in the final poll, eliminating Florida State from the CFP.

No. 5 Florida State (13-0) will play No. 6 Georgia (12-1) on Dec. 30 in the Orange Bowl after both programs felt like they deserved a chance to play for the national title. The CFP committee decided that the Seminoles were doomed by quarterback Jordan Travis’ broken leg and dropped Georgia five spots after its loss to Alabama in the SEC title game.

No. 4 Alabama (12-1) faces No. 1 Michigan (13-0) in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. The Wolverines didn’t appear to be thrilled with being matched up with the Tide. Still, Michigan’s Blake Corum re-iterated the Wolverines are the top dogs, though.

Get your tickets for the Rose Bowl here.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.